from what Rosberg is saying, most of them will run out of fuel before the end of the race

I think Britney is being a little over dramatic, I very much doubt that many engineers with that much data won't have race settings figure out to, even if they have to run lean at the end to get there.

(03-14-2014 09:54 PM)chemics Wrote: I think Britney is being a little over dramatic, I very much doubt that many engineers with that much data won't have race settings figure out to, even if they have to run lean at the end to get there.

Indeed, but there could be all sorts of shenanigans tomorrow over fuel allowances resulting in topsy-turvy running speeds. My prediction for an Alonso podium looks a bit shaky unless it's wet.

Regards,
Mark

"A man who took simple pleasure in making things work properly"
[Nigel Roebuck, writing of Bruce McLaren]

"Bruce McLaren was the best person I ever worked for. He was amazing"
[Howden Ganley, 12th September 2009]

Watching the local coverage this morning it is apparently front page on a lot of newspapers.

Unfortunately as we know reliability and outright pace is likely to be a problem for the Red Bull. In an interview this morning one comment Daniel made was the car handles the wet conditions really well (as evidenced by this Quali result) - the morning forecast is for rain around race start.

At the end of the day his front row is a confidence builder for him - hopefully he will follow it up with a good performance in the race - something he has not always done when he was at Toro Rosso

(03-14-2014 09:54 PM)chemics Wrote: I think Britney is being a little over dramatic, I very much doubt that many engineers with that much data won't have race settings figure out to, even if they have to run lean at the end to get there.

Indeed, but there could be all sorts of shenanigans tomorrow over fuel allowances resulting in topsy-turvy running speeds. My prediction for an Alonso podium looks a bit shaky unless it's wet.

After all the doom mongering about running out of fuel I heard the commentators saying that some engineers are already talking about the races they won't need to run with the full 100kg fuel allowance for the race.

(03-17-2014 08:45 AM)chemics Wrote: After all the doom mongering about running out of fuel I heard the commentators saying that some engineers are already talking about the races they won't need to run with the full 100kg fuel allowance for the race.

Fair enough. Leave it as it is now, then reduce it to 75kg next season.

Regards,
Mark

"A man who took simple pleasure in making things work properly"
[Nigel Roebuck, writing of Bruce McLaren]

"Bruce McLaren was the best person I ever worked for. He was amazing"
[Howden Ganley, 12th September 2009]

I suspect the teams are getting more benefit than they thought in both ERS and with DRS running behind another car.

That said - don't forget we had a safety car and several teams were still managing fuel use at the end - McLaren and RedBull particularly.

Running less weight throughout an entire race would be a pretty big advantage so I suppose they will push it as far as they can. It might shake things up if some midfield teams take a shot at running very efficient and maybe combining that with a 1-stop at some races to try and steal some points.

Lephturn

"Racing is life... everything before and after is just waiting." Steve McQueen as Michael Delaney in 'Le Mans'

(03-17-2014 09:00 AM)Lephturn Wrote: I suspect the teams are getting more benefit than they thought in both ERS and with DRS running behind another car.

That said - don't forget we had a safety car and several teams were still managing fuel use at the end - McLaren and RedBull particularly.

Running less weight throughout an entire race would be a pretty big advantage so I suppose they will push it as far as they can. It might shake things up if some midfield teams take a shot at running very efficient and maybe combining that with a 1-stop at some races to try and steal some points.

They were saying that following another car has no advantage, you loose speed in the corners with reduced downforce that you then need to make up on acceleration, which offsets any gains on the straights. Also, this is one of the heavier tracks on fuel usage, so to have minimal fuel saving with it also being race 1 shows how far they have come form testing already.

Lots of long straights on Australia so if they didn't get any benefit from running behind there, they won't get any elsewhere. I'd think DRS would help a bunch, but I guess not. Weird - I can see lower downforce making the following car slower - but I'm not sure how more fuel consumption can make up for it. I suppose because they are accelerating from a lower corner exit speed than the leading car.

I'm glad it turned out this way - what I was worried about was to have guys fighting to be behind for 20 laps so that they could then have more fuel to beat the other guy to the finish. Turns out (based on quotes from Rosberg) it's more about balancing slowing a bit for fuel saving yet keeping your tires in their operating window. Boring to watch but lots of work for the driver.

Lephturn

"Racing is life... everything before and after is just waiting." Steve McQueen as Michael Delaney in 'Le Mans'